Thandai

BISMILLAH HIR RAHMAN NIR RAHEEM

Executive chef Sujit bose, The orchid, Vile parle says, "This traditional dry fruits based cold milk is delicious and refreshing in this heat".

Ingredients:

1 1/2 litre water
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 tbsp almonds
1 tbsp tarbooj seeds (dried and skinned)
1/2 tbsp poppy seeds
1/2 tbsp aniseed
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1/2 tsp rose water (optional)
1 tsp peppercorns (whole)
1/4 cup dried or fresh rose variety (gulkand variety)

Method:

- Soak sugar in 1/2 ltr water and keep aside. 

- Wash and clean all other dry ingredients ( except cardamom powder) and soak in half the remaining water for at least two hours. 

- Grind all these to a very fine paste. 

- Now mix the left over water. 

- Place a strong muslin strainer over a large deep vessel, and strain. 

- Press through muslim with back of palms, extracting the liquid into vessel. 

- Pour back some of the extract and press again. 

- Repeat this process till the residue becomes dry and husk like. 

- Add cardamom powder mixed milk, sugar solution and rosewater to the extracted liquid. 

- Chill for an hour before serving.